1169 Identification and catch-up of incomplete childhood immunisations for looked after children at the initial health assessment

Abstract

<h3>Aims</h3> To improve the identification and catch-up immunisation of children attending for an Initial Health Assessment (IHA) with an incomplete childhood immunisation record. <h3>Methods</h3> This is a re-audit, retrospectively looking at the immunisation records of the eligible children and young people. All children and young people who attended for an IHA in Manchester between January and April 2021 were included. Cases were identified using the central LAC Database. There were a total of 103 patients which included 25 UASC (Unaccompanied asylum seeking children). The results were compared with local standards. The children identified as having incomplete immunisation status had their child health record reviewed to see whether they had received catch-up immunisations. <h3>Results</h3> 44 children and young people had incomplete immunisations which was 12% increase compared to the results of the audit in 2020. There was an improvement in the proportion of children with incomplete immunisation status with their missing immunisations listed clearly in documentation to their General Practitioner. There was also an improvement in the proportion of children who had a specified time-frame for their catch-up immunisations in the IHA report. 25 children identified were UASC and all had unknown immunisation status. Child health records could not be found for one young person so he was not included in the review. All children required immunisation as per the Public Health England ‘Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status’. Only 3 out of 24 received all outstanding immunisations. Despite this, the majority of patients did engage partially and receive some of the requested immunisations. 71% received at least two Td/IPV doses, 88% received at least one MMR dose and 54% received the single required Men ACWY dose. Of the two eligible patients for the HPV vaccination, one received a single dose. 19 of the non-UASC children were recorded as not being up to date with immunisation (figure 1). All children under 5 (6 patients) received their catch-up immunisations. Out of the 3 children aged between 5-12 years, one was already up to date and two did not receive any vaccinations. These two children had moved from Mauritius to the UK two years ago and had no immunisation history. There were 10 young people aged 12-18 years with 8 having not received their full catch-up immunisations. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Looked After Children are less likely to be up to date with their immunisations than the general population [1]. Older Children and Young people in care are less likely to have up to date immunisations than younger children in care. Documentation to General Practitioners detailing specific missing immunisations and the time-frame for these to be given has improved since the last audit cycle. The vast majority of the UASC requiring catch-up immunisations were willing to engage with services but unfortunately did not receive all doses. Further work can be done to make access to vaccination easier, such as offering the first dose at the time of IHA. <h3>Reference</h3> Immunization of looked-after children and young people: a review of the literature, S. Walton et al.